Trip Overview

Day 1 – In the morning, we will depart Fairbanks for the Brooks Range. Our schedule for the day is entirely contingent on the weather, and the timing of flights. It will likely take us most of the day to reach the Alatna River Valley, and the start of our backpack into the Arrigetch Peaks. The flights in small bush planes are jaw-droppingly beautiful, as the Brooks Range, the wildest mountains in North America, appear around us. Depending on our arrival time, we may set up camp close to our landing place, or hike a couple of miles before settling down for the night.

Day 2 – Today’s the Day! It’s a long day’s hike to the Arrigetch Peaks, but an unforgettable one. Though the distance isn’t excessive (about 7 miles) we’ll climb some 2000 vertical feet, and the walking is all off-trail. By the time we reach our next campsite, we’ll be pleasantly tired, but we’ll be surrounded by the granite peaks and 3000-foot cliffs that make up the Arrigetch!

Days 3-5 – We will spend our days exploring the Arrigetch Peaks with our cameras. With abundant day-hike options, we’ll climb up into cirques near remnant glaciers. Photograph blue alpine lakes, and the incredible autumn colors of the Brooks Range. We may opt to move camps up one side valley or another for more variety, or base from a single location. Either way, we’ll have entire days to dedicate to our photography of this wild and remote corner of arctic Alaska.

Day 6 – After one final sunrise shoot, we’ll start the long descent down to the Alatna Valley. As ever, we’ll take our time, stopping for lunch and photo opportunities as we find them. Eventually, we’ll set up our final camp at the valley bottom.

Day 7 – Departure Day. In the morning, after breakfast, we’ll make our way to our pickup spot and wait for the bush plane. Upon its arrival, we’ll load up and wing our way back toward Fairbanks, saying goodbye to the Brooks Range and Gates of the Arctic National Park.